Italian Antitrust Regulator Probes Enel

Law360, New York (October 8, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT) -- The Italian Competition Authority has launched an investigation to determine whether Enel SpA has abused its dominant position by limiting competition in the retail sales of electricity to “nondomestic” clients.

The regulator decided to examine the energy giant's activities after rival Exergia SpA complained that Enel's electric service and distribution units had rigged the market after Exergia won a contract with the energy company Acquirente Unico SpA, the Competition Authority said on Tuesday.

Acquirente awarded Exergia a contract to serve as the “lifesaver” to nondomestic electricity...